Weather Forecast

Steggs flies over fields in Nebraska, Colorado

■ Editor’s note: This is one in a series of features that will spotlight businesses in Imperial. The community has a thriving business community, and all residents may not realize the extent of services and products local businesses provide. This feature will be a regular offering throughout the year and beyond, and will include those businesses with a commercial address located outside of the home.By Carolyn LeeThe Imperial Republican Steggs Aerial Spraying Inc. has been servicing farmers in the area since 1980. Owners Jeff and Dianna Steggs located their business at the Imperial Airport at that time. Jeff had previously worked for his father, Jerry, who had a spray service in Broken Bow, dating back to 1955. Another family member, the Steggs’ son Jerry, runs the spray service in Holyoke. His wife, Tracy, performs office work for both locations. Steggs sprays crops for fungicides and pesticides in Chase and Dundy Counties in Nebraska and Phillips and Yuma Counties in Colorado. “We’re the 911 for the farmer,” Jeff Steggs commented. Steggs Aerial Spraying also sells ag chemicals. Kenny Schilke is the salesman for both locations. Two Thrush planes are flown by Jeff Steggs at the Imperial site. Dave Williams flies out of Holyoke. The busy season is mid-April to mid-September. During the winter maintenance work is done. Summer hours are from 4 or 4:30 a.m. until whenever. Dianna Steggs said “Wind dictates the spraying time, and we have to stay until it’s done.” She said equipment and laws change fast in the ag spraying business. Schilke agreed, adding “You have to stay on top of things.”